Articles on Advaita Vedanta – Non-Duality
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You Are That: The Role of the Guru in Revealing the Self
A qualified Vedantic teacher (guru) must embody three essential characteristics according to the traditional scriptures… First, he or she should be a saṃpradāya-vid, one who has been taught by…
What is an Upadhi (Superimposition)? And How It Keeps You Bound
Upādhi refers to a “limiting adjunct” or a “conditioning factor” that seemingly restricts or modifies the true nature of the ātmā (the Self). It is derived from the idea…
Five Crucial Qualifications for Enlightenment
Just as a scientist needs the right tools and training to explore the cosmos, a spiritual seeker desiring enlightenment needs the right qualifications and methodology to discover one's truth….
Sacred Hindu Texts for Enlightenment: Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita & Brahma Sutras Explained
Origins of Vedanta For thousands of years, Vedanta's profound teachings were guarded by lineages, passed from guru to student through an unbroken oral tradition. These weren't ordinary teachings but…
What Do I Really Want? Understanding the 4 Human Pursuits for a Meaningful Life
Introduction An examination of one's life begins with three basic questions: Who am I? What is the meaning of life? What do I want? Though there are myriad things…
What is Advaita Vedanta Philosophy? It's Not A Philosophy
Finding What Was Never Lost Have you ever noticed how we pursue different things in life? When you want something you don't have — a new skill, better health,…
Bhagavad Gita Lessons for Today's World
Ever found yourself scrolling endlessly on your phone late at night, not because you're looking for something, but because you can't shake this nagging sense that there's more to…
Introduction to Advaita Vedanta, Non-Duality
What is Vedanta? At its core, Vedanta is not merely a philosophy crafted by human minds. Rather, it is a timeless pramana – a means of knowledge – that…
Decoding Ramayana's Symbolism in Advaita Vedanta
The Rāmāyaṇa is not just a story of heroism, devotion, and the triumph of good over evil. When viewed through the lens of Advaita Vedanta, it becomes a profound…
ISKCON vs Advaita Vedanta: A Comprehensive Comparison
Within Vedanta — one of India's six orthodox philosophical schools — a fascinating paradox emerges. Two spiritual traditions study identical sacred texts yet reach completely contradictory conclusions about the…
Comparing Major Schools of Philosophies: A Critical Analysis
The quest to understand the nature of reality, the self, and the path to liberation has led to the development of diverse philosophical systems and religions throughout history. This…
Adhyasa Explained: Why Do We Mistake the Self for the Non-Self?
INQUIRER: QUESTION 1: How Does Adhyasa (Superimposition) Happen? In the Adhyasa Bhashya, it is stated that the ‘I' (Self) and the ‘you' (everything else/non-Self) are of the nature of…
Questioning Adi Shankara's “Jagat Mithya” – What if Jagat is Satyam?
INQUIRER: QUESTION 1: Vijnana Vedanta, as propounded by Sri Aurobindo and Ramakrishna, offers a different perspective on the nature of reality compared to traditional Advaita Vedanta. Swami Medhananda argues…
What is the Purpose of Studying Scriptures?
INQUIRER: What is the purpose of studying scriptures? Ultimately, what changes or benefits should I expect in my life from this study? I am unsure and would like to…
Play of Consciousness: An Inquiry into Advaita Vedanta’s Core Questions
Introduction I recently received a profound set of questions that strike at the very heart of our existence: What is the purpose of life? If we are in a…
Is Enlightenment an Experience or Knowledge?
“Who am I?” Though we rarely, if ever, give it deep consideration – each situation, encounter, and experience calls upon us to articulate a satisfactory response to this fundamental…
Why clean the mind if Consciousness is beyond body, mind, and gunas?
QUESTION: If Consciousness is independent of body, mind or 3 gunas, then why work on purification? ANSWER 1: The Upanishads declare that Brahman or consciousness is the ultimate reality….
Vedantic Analogies for Contemplation on the Non-Dual Reality
Based on the chapter “Illustrations in Vedanta” from Swami Sivananda’s book, “Vedanta for Beginners” (The Divine Life Society, 1941) Because its abstract truths cannot be easily understood by the…
Analysis of Quotes by Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj
Most Westerners first learn of non-duality through exposure to the “teachings” of Ramana Maharshi and/or Nisargadatta Maharaj — either directly through reading various books that contain collections of their…
Self-Knowledge is Not Intellectual
A common criticism leveled at Vedanta is that its appeal is purely intellectual; that it stresses analysis yet neglects experience, emphasizes ideas but ignores emotions, appeals to the head…
Validity of Mahayana ‘Bodhisattva' Concept
Purpose of this article is to analyze Mahayana Buddhism's concept of bodhisattva. (Article is not referring to Zen Buddhism's implied interpretation, which is different from Mahayana's more literal interpretation…
Nirvikalpa, Savikalpa and Sahaja Samadhi: What's the Difference?
Some books say nirvikalpa-samadhi is the best frame of mind to assimilate Self-Knowledge. Others argue it's savikalpa-samadhi. While Ramana Maharshi says it's sahaja-samadhi. This confusion arises because these terms…
Who Is the ‘Me' Who Knows Myself? (A Technical Analysis)
Regarding the prospect of self-realization or enlightenment — many, if not all seekers find themselves, at least initially, in an ironic quandary. On the one hand, one seeks freedom…
Understanding the Distinction Between Self and Not-Self
INQUIRER: There was a change of perception some time ago due to decent assimilation of self-knowledge. Now need confirmation for reassurance. When one knows oneself to be Awareness (Brahman)…
Moksha Can't Be for Atman nor the Mind. Then Who Gets Liberated?
INQUIRER: It is said, “Self-knowledge takes place in the mind, and enlightenment is for the mind.” RESPONSE: In beginning stages, Vedanta pretends that the mind is conscious because Self…
Doership Disturbs the Mind
Synopsis: Ramesh's self-enquiry to realize the Self is unsuccessful. Two solutions are given. Starting from right standpoint, and right method. INQUIRER: Something is disturbing my mind: It feels like…
How Do I Know I am Doing My Duty? What is My Svadharma?
How do I know that I’m doing “my” sva-dharma (personal duty), and not someone else's. How do I know it’s “mine”? ANSWER: There is relative and absolute svadharma. ABSOLUTE:…
If Brahman is Everything, Why Worship and Devote to Whom?
Nearly all objections challenging non-duality and confusions by Advaita aspirants can be surmised from lack of discernment of 3 realities operating any moment… PRATIBHASIKA: Your own notions. Personal, subjective…
Selected Quotes by Ramana Maharshi & Nisargadatta
These are hand picked quotes I use for occasional self-inquiry into the true essence of reality. Quotes are meant for learned scholars and students of Advaita Vedanta who are…
Without a Second, the Final Conclusion
In previous discussion, it was shown that those who know not the truth, seeing themselves a separate entity from the whole, even if sincerely religious and God-believer — are…
What is a Vritti (Thoughts)? What To Do With Them?
Vritti or thought is the nature of the mind (antahkarana). Thoughts arise just as a bubble (which is always an effect of something deeper in the ocean) arises on…
Individual Cannot Transcend the Individual
Synopsis: The inquirer is frustrated because he's trying to experience oneself as an unlimited entity through a limited body-mind. He (a mind's desire) wants to get rid of the…
Self “Sees” Everything As Itself
INQUIRER: I see emotions and thoughts arising within me (Self; ātmā). I see the apparent world (including the body) appearing in me, and everything is just pure-being. There isn't…
Connection Between Doer, Enjoyer and Self (Atma)
INQUIRER: I understand that doership is the “aham karta” (I am a doer / doership) thoughts. Thoughts like: “I am doing the writing of this message. I am doing…
Understanding the Orders of Reality
INQUIRER: Need help reconciling various experiences that seem to be happening within my scope. Experience A: There is a world of objects and people. I am a body-mind endowed…
Is Attainment of Self-Knowledge Immediate or Gradual?
INQUIRER: I desire to know when self-knowledge is “attained” (liberation, enlightenment, self-realization) — is it gradual OR an immediate event. And is it completely permanent? RESPONSE: Attainment of self-knowledge…
Role of Meditation in Vedanta
INQUIRER: I am interested to find out about your thoughts, regarding the validity and effectiveness of different meditation practices. I have personally been practicing transcendental meditation (TM) and the…
What Happens if Die Ignorant (Why Rebirth)? – Part 44
In previous discussion, what happens to one who dies after realizing the ultimate truth (videhamukti). Student asks, “What happens to those who die without knowing the ultimate truth?“ “…
Basis for Accepting the Law of Karma / Proof?
INQUIRER: Need confirmation on the law of karma. Since it is called the law of karma – are we to assume that it was discovered as a law by…
If Self is Free, Why Purify the Jiva (Not-Self)?
INQUIRER: It seems like the only difference after enlightenment (moksha) is that thoughts of being limited no longer appear in the intellect (buddhi). Or if they do appear they’re…
Self-Realization Is a Shift in Identity
INQUIRER: I have an intellectual interest in Advaita Vedanta, with a view to finding some level of contentment with life. I know you’ll say only self-realisation will provide complete…
Ishvara’s Perspective & Videhamukti
INQUIRER: It's said that that ‘enlightenment’ is for the jiva (which results in freedom FROM the jiva) — and not Awareness (brahman) which is already enlightened. Now when it…
Understanding Self Doesn’t Eradicate the Mind
INQUIRER: I feel, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that I can’t be Radhika (name hidden for privacy). RESPONSE: Then why the rest of the email? If you know…
Self (Atman) is Beyond the Witness
INQUIRER: Is there a stage beyond the witness? RESPONSE: If by “witness” you mean the individual person, or the ego (ahamkara), then yes, there is something beyond — which…
Bliss (Ananda) is Not An Emotional State
INQUIRER: While discriminating consciousness from objects, I felt a sense of limitlessness. I've seen the Satya/Mithya chart and a sense of bliss/ananda came over me I think the highest…
Thoughts and Questions on Free Will
INQUIRER: Reading Dennis Waite’s case against free will in “HOW TO MEET YOURSELF” (pg 170-174), I was struck at how similar it was to the one made roughly 80…
Taking a Stand As Awareness
INQUIRER: What does “taking a stand as Awareness” mean? RESPONSE: Taking a stand as awareness means to assume your true identity — after having been first taught nature of…
Binding vs Non-Binding Vasanas: Freedom from Likes and Dislikes
INQUIRER: About this statement, “It is important to accommodate all persons and circumstances [CH13 of Bhagavad Gita]. It is also foolish to like or dislike any person or circumstance…
Three Gunas and Three Bodies (with Visual Map)
INQUIRER: How do the 3 gunas connect with the 3 bodies (causal, subtle, and physical)? I think this answer is that the three gunas are present in each of…
Sat Chit Ananda Meaning
Inquirer: In my continued study of the Bhagavad Gita and various Upanishads, I am looking closely at sat-cit-ananda and would love some insights to this knowledge. What does it…